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enEcuador Wrap: Barca claim second phase titleBarcelona sealed the second phase title but Emelec were crowned overall champions in the Ecuadorian Primera A.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-barcelona-claim-second-phase-title-emelec-overall-champions
Ruben Israel's Barcelona were narrow 1-0 winners at Universidad Catolica via Pedro Velasco's 16th-minute goal on Sunday.
Velasco rose highest from a corner and guided his header into the net, securing Barcelona's spot in the second stage of the Copa Libertadores.
Independiente del Valle's 4-0 rout of Manta on the same day was in vain as Barcelona topped the table by two points after 22 rounds.
However, the day belonged to Emelec after they done enough to top the aggregate standings, which takes into accountthe first phase.
Emelec - who finished third in the second phase - held a two-point lead heading into the final matchday and they maintained that advantage thanks to a 1-0 victory at home to bottom clubOlmedo.
Miler Bolanos was the hero for Emelec, converting a 76th-minute penalty following a crude challenge inside the area.
The result capped a horrendous campaign for Olmedo (42 points), who were relegated from the top flight along with Manta (43 points) due to their standing in the aggregate table.
Emelec (88 points) finished two clear of Independiente and five abovesecond-phase champions Barcelona.
In other results on Sunday, LDU Loja edged LDU Quito 1-0 thanks to Juan Villacres' goal three minutes from the end.
El Nacional accounted for Deportivo Cuenca 2-1, while Mushuc Runa and Deportivo Quito played out a goalless draw.
news_articleSun, 14 Dec 2014 22:25:05 +0000305306 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEcuador Wrap: Rivals Barca, Emelec in box seatArch rivals Barcelona and Emelec are in the box seat to win the Ecuadorian Primera A after Independiente del Valle lost again.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-barcelona-emelec-leapfrog-independiente
Argentine striker Emanuel Herrera made it four goals in two matches as Emelec defeated Manta 2-1 on Sunday, dragging the Guayaquil-based club into second in the Primera A table, just one point behind local rivals Barcelona, after former leaders Independiente slipped to third.
Barcelona edged out LDU Loja 1-0 on Saturday, while Independiente suffered a third loss in succession, slumping to a 1-0 defeat at home to El Nacional.
With two rounds remaining in the Primera A's second phase, Barcelona (42 points) will wrap up the title if they defeat eighth-placed Mushuc Runa on Wednesday and Emelec (41), Independiente and LDU Quito (both 40) all lose.
Emelec strengthened their hopes of claiming the title with their win over lowly Manta on Sunday with Herrera scoring his second brace in as many games.
The 27-year-old scored both goals for Emelec midweek as they accounted for LDU Loja 2-0 and he was again the hero at the Estadio Los Chirijos, hitting the back of the net in the sixth and 54th minutes.
Herrera opened the scoring from a quicklytaken corner, pouncing after his first shot was blocked to stab the ball into the net, while his second strike was an audacious volley at the near post with his back to goal.
Manta got on the board in the 77th minute through Ricardo Lopez but the visitors were unable to produce an equaliser.
In Machala on Saturday, Barcelona claimed pole position thanks to Christian Suarez's 69th-minute strike, following a blistering counter-attack, while El Nacional took advantage of Independiente's poor form to triumph thanks to Tito Valencia's goal in second-half stoppage time.
In the capital, LDU Quito gave up a two-goal lead but recovered to win 3-2 over Deportivo Quito, while in other results, Mushuc Runa drew 1-1 with Olmedo and Universidad Catolica defeated Deportivo Cuenca 2-1.
news_articleMon, 08 Dec 2014 02:58:20 +0000301636 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEcuador Wrap: Barca close in on IndependienteIndependiente del Valles chances of finishing top of the Ecuadorian Primera A took a hit as Barcelona closed in on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-barcelona-close-independiente-del-valle
Pablo Repetto's Independiente suffered a 2-0 loss at LDU Quito, marking their second straight loss in the league.
It opened the door for their nearest rivals and they took full advantage.
Barcelona, now just a point back, and Emelec both recorded victories to go with third-placed LDU Quito's win over the leaders.
Goals from Diego Morales and Hansel Batalla saw LDU Quito to their win, moving them within three points of top spot.
Barcelona took advantage to move within a point, with Ismael Blanco's second-half goal enough to see them past Deportivo Quito 1-0.
Emelec are five points off top spot with three matches remaining after Miller Bolanos' late winner in their 1-0 victory at El Nacional.
Deportivo Cuenca overcame LDU Loja 1-0 and Universidad Catolica and Manta had three-goal wins.
Universidad Catolica cruised past bottom side Olmedo 3-0 and Manta were far too strong for Mushuc Runa in a 3-0 victory.
news_articleMon, 01 Dec 2014 01:22:51 +0000296965 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEcuador Wrap: LDU Quito fail to overhaul BarcaLDU Quito failed to overhaul Barcelona for second spot in the Ecuadorian Primera A, while leaders Independiente del Valle lost.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-top-three-fail-score-olmedo-win-big
Third-placed LDU had not kept a clean sheet in their previous four matches, but did so without claiming the points at home to Ruben Israel's Barcelona (36 points).
LDU failed to score for the first time in 10 matches, but extended their unbeaten streak to seven.
Despite failing to break down one of their top rivals, LDU (34 points) failed to lose any ground on the top two - and gained ground on Independiente (40).
Emelec edged Independiente 1-0 late on, Angel Mena striking at the death to see them move within two points of third-place LDU.
Leaders Independiente finished with 10 men, but remain four points clear of Barcelona through 18 matches.
Olmedo, who climbed off bottom, and ninth-placed Universidad Catolica were other sides to geton the winners' list.
Olmedo were 3-0 winners at LDU Loja, with Alvaro Navarro, Cristian Palacios and Andre Skiadas all netting in what equalled the club's biggest win since promotion from Primera B last year.
Catolica, who have scored in their past six games, broke a four-match winless run with their 2-1 victory over Manta.
Armando Wila and Diego Benitez struck for Catolica, who went level on points with seventh-placed Mushuc Runa.
Mid-table Deportivo Cuenca are without a win in three, after drawing 0-0 at Deportivo Quito.
Mushuc Runa earned their first point in four outings, coming from behind to draw 1-1 at home to fifth-placed El Nacional.
news_articleMon, 24 Nov 2014 00:43:19 +0000292669 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEcuador Wrap: Leaders Independiente in controlIndependiente del Valle maintained their five-point lead atop the Ecuadorian Primera A on Wednesday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-independiente-del-valle-still-control
Pablo Repetto's league leaders made it three straight wins by edging Mushuc Runa 1-0 at the Estadio General Ruminahui del Valle de Los Chillos.
Mario Rizotto's 72nd-minute goal proved to be enough in front of their home fans.
Barcelona remain second and five points behind after battling to a 1-0 win at Emelec thanks to Ismael Blanco's 80th-minute effort.
Third-placed LDU Quito extended their unbeaten run to six matches with a 2-1 victory at Deportivo Cuenca.
Luis Canga and Cuenca's Juan Manuel Cobelli traded first-half goals before Diego Morales netted a dramatic late winner.
At the other end of the table, the bottom two both had wins.
Olmedo's second win of the season came at home to Deportivo Quito as Franco Mazurek scored the winner in a 1-0 victory.
Manta recorded their third victory of the campaign as Miller Castillo hit a brace in a 3-0 win at home to LDU Loja.
El Nacional and Universidad Catolica played out a 1-1 draw.
news_articleThu, 20 Nov 2014 03:18:31 +0000290232 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEcuador Wrap: Sornoza fires Independiente clearIndependiente del Valle edged further clear atop the Ecuadorian Primera A thanks to Junior Sornoza on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-sornoza-helps-independiente-del-valle-go-clear
Sornoza scored a brace in his side's 2-1 win at Universidad Catolica as Pablo Repetto's men moved five points clear at the top.
Second-placed Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw by Deportivo Cuenca, paving the way for Repetto's side to increase their lead.
And they took full advantage at the Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa, with Sornoza curling in a 59th-minute opener into the bottom corner from just outside the area.
Sornoza's good finish with 16 minutes remaining completed his brace and put Independiente in control.
Armando Wila's 80th-minute penalty gave the ninth-placed hosts hope, but they were unable to find an equaliser.
Universidad Catolica coach Jorge Celico was sent off in the first half after an altercation with an opposition player.
Barcelona conceded late on in a 2-2 draw against Cuenca.
Juan Manuel Cobelli put visiting Cuenca ahead in the 20th minute with a neat finish from an angle.
Ismael Blanco headed in a close-range leveller moments later and his team were ahead before half-time.
Goalkeeper Maximo Banguera stepped up to convert from the penalty spot.
But Banguera was unable to stop his side conceding an 85th-minute equaliser as Cobelli's smart finish with the outside of his left foot found the bottom corner.
Elsewhere, third-placed LDU Quito hammered Olmedo 5-1 and LDU Loja edged El Nacional 1-0.
Deportivo Quito and Manta played out a 1-1 draw and Emelec enjoyed a 1-0 victory at Mushuc Runa.
news_articleMon, 17 Nov 2014 01:02:28 +0000288426 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEcuador Wrap: Leaders held, Barcelona winIndependiente del Valle retained their Ecuadorian Primera A lead despite being held on Sunday, while Barcelona were winners.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-leaders-held-barcelona-win
Pablo Repetto's Independiente del Valle gave up a lead in a 1-1 draw at home to eighth-placed LDU Loja.
Richard Porta capitalised on poor defending to drill in a 21st-minute opener from inside the area for the hosts.
Lenin Infante fired in an impressive equaliser six minutes before the break, powering an effort into the roof of the net from just outside the area.
The draw was enough to keep Independiente del Valle on top and they have a game in hand on Barcelona, who moved level on points.
Ely Esterilla headed in a 63rd-minute corner to give Barcelona a 1-0 victory at bottom side Olmedo.
LDU Quito missed out on a fourth straight win as Miller Castillo inspired Manta, who came from behind to draw 3-3.
Castillo's good finish from an angle put Manta ahead, but they were 3-1 down before the hour-mark.
Holger Matamoros levelled for the visitors, Diego Morales curled in a free-kick and bad goalkeeping allowed Juan Anangono to strike.
But Castillo pulled a goal back and then struck from the penalty spot in the 77th minute.
Deportivo Cuenca came from behind to clinch their second straight league win, beating Mushuc Runa 2-1.
Juan Marcarie's stunning 30-yard opener was cancelled out by Hugo Bargas' smart finish midway through the first half.
Andres Lopez headed in the winner in the 79th minute.
Emelec claimed a 2-1 victory over Universidad Catolica, and El Nacional and Deportivo Quito played out a 0-0 draw.
news_articleMon, 10 Nov 2014 01:22:49 +0000284161 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEcuador Wrap: LDU Quito close in on summitLDU Quito closed in on the Ecuadorian Primera A summit as the top two stumbled on Wednesday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-ldu-quito-close
Luis Zubeldia's LDU Quito claimed a come-from-behind 2-1 win over El Nacional to move within four points of league leaders Independiente del Valle.
Independiente del Valle were crushed 3-0 by Deportivo Quito, while second-placed Barcelona were shocked by Manta.
LDU Quito also looked set to be beaten when Jorge Valencia put El Nacional ahead in the 30th minute.
Jonathan Ramis levelled just after half-time for the hosts before Juan Luis Anangono scored what proved to be the winner with 20 minutes remaining.
Independiente del Valle suffered their first loss of the league season 13 games in as Deportivo Quito struck three times in a 10-minute burst.
Cristian Lara netted a penalty and goals from Michael Castro and Efren Proano followed as the hosts claimed what proved to be a comfortable win.
Miller Castillo's 55th-minute penalty was enough for bottom side Manta to secure their second straight win and upset Barcelona 1-0.
news_articleThu, 06 Nov 2014 03:45:38 +0000282040 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEcuador Wrap: Top spot for IndependienteIndependiente del Valle preserved their unbeaten start to the second phase of Ecuadorian Primera A competition and moved top in the process.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-independiente-del-valle-go-top
Daniel Angulo scored twice as Independiente came from behind to beat rivals Barcelona 2-1 at Estadio General Ruminahui del Valle de Los Chillos on Saturday.
Independiente, who have played an extra game, replaced Barcelona at the summit by two points as a result of their victory.
Barcelona hit the front after 14 minutes in the round 13 fixture; Gedy Penafiel pouncing on a rebound to put the visitors ahead.
Angulo ensured Independiente went into the break on level terms though; volleying the equaliser into the net from a corner nine minutes before half-time.
And Angulo scored the eventual match-winner in the 64th minute after his shot took a deflection.
Third-placed LDU Quito claimed back-to-back wins by upstaging rivals Emelec on Sunday.
Gerardo Alcoba's 40th-minute goal was enough for LDU Quito to walk away with maximum points and move three clear of Emelec.
In other results, a second-half comeback inspired fifth-placed El Nacional to a 2-1 win over second-bottom Olmedo.
Cellar-dwelling Manta stunned Deportivo Cuenca 2-1 thanks to Miler Castillo's 90th-minute penalty.
LDU Loja equalised in the final minute to escape Mushuc Runa with a 1-1 draw, while Universidad Catolica edged Deportivo Quito 1-0.
news_articleMon, 03 Nov 2014 02:32:07 +0000280427 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEcuador Wrap: Suarez scores Barcelona winnerBarcelona and Independiente del Valle had narrow wins to consolidate the top two spots in the Ecuadorian Primera A.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-suarez-scores-barcelona-winner
Ruben Israel's Barcelona (25 points) remained one point clear of Independiente, after edging El Nacional 1-0 at home on Sunday.
Christian Suarez's 68th-minute goal was the difference, taking Barcelona to their eighth win in 11 matches in the season's second phase.
Suarez, laying against the side he scored 12 goals for in the 2010 campaign, volleyed home with his left boot for his sixth Primera A goal for Barcelona.
Independiente have a game in hand, and stayed within Barcelona's reach, after a 1-0 road win at Deportivo Cuenca.
Pablo Repetto's side battled to the three points despite going down to 10 men when Jonathan Gonzalez was sent off in the 35th minute.
Jefferson Orejuela scored what was the winner on 58 minutes, while Independiente's task was made much easier when Cuenca's Galo Ricardo Corozo was dismissed five minutes later.
Emelec dropped four points behind Independiente in third, after being held to a 2-2 draw at Deportivo Quito.
It could have been much worse for the visitors too, as they trailed 2-0 after first-half goals to Jonathan Hansen and Walter Calderon.
But Miller Bolanos pulled one back for Emelec in the 66th minute, and Angel Mena scored the equaliser with two minutes of regulation time to play.
LDU Quito joined Emelec on 20 points, courtesy of a rampant 5-1 win over Mushuc Runa.
Only one point separated the two sides prior to kick-off, but braces to Juan Luis Anangono and Diego Morales saw them saunter past the mid-table club.
Mushuc Runa remain in the top six, as LDU Loja - two points back in seventh - were humbled 2-1 at home to Universidad Catolica on Saturday.
Catolica have now won three of their past four to sit in ninth on 11 points.
Also on Sunday, Olmedo won the battle of the bottom two against cellar-dwellers Manta 1-0 to put six points between the two sides.
It was Olmedo's first win of the season, taking them to nine points and leaving Manta with just three draws to show from 12 fixtures.
news_articleMon, 27 Oct 2014 01:03:01 +0000275870 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEcuador Wrap: Blanco inspires BarcelonaIsmael Blanco netted a hat-trick as leaders Barcelona returned to winning ways, trouncing El Nacional 4-1 in the Ecuadorian Primera A.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-blanco-inspires-barcelona
Barcelona were humbled 4-1 at home to rivals Independiente del Valle last time out - ending a seven-game winningstreak in the second phase of competition.
But Barcelona dished out a rout of their own as veteran striker Blanco took home the match ball on Sunday.
Barcelona have collected 25 points from 11 matches, seven more than Independiente, who have three games in hand.
Blanco opened the scoring in the 38th minute at Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa in Quito, poking the ball past the goalkeeper before coolly finishing into an empty net.
The 31-year-old doubled Barcelona's lead five minutes into the second half after firing the ball into the top corner of the net from outside the area.
Tito Valencia reduced the deficit with 18 minutes remaining but Ely Esterilla restored Barcelona's two-goal buffer just seconds later after his free-kick somehow ended up in the net.
And Blanco capped a dominant display in the first minute of injury time as Barcelona made it four straight wins away from home.
Independiente are still hot on the heels of Barcelona following their 4-0 demolition of Deportivo Cuenca on Saturday.
Mario Rizotto scored twice to help preserve Independiente's unbeaten start to the season.
Third-place LDU Quito were held to a 1-1 draw by Mushuc Runa, the latter equalising in the 90th minute via Christian Cordero.
Universidad Catolica made it back-to-back wins with a crushing 4-1 triumph over LDU Loja.
Emelec were awarded a 3-0 win without taking to the field on Sunday after Deportivo Quito were suspended for not paying their debts to various creditors.
Strugglers Manta and Olmedo played out a goalless draw.
news_articleMon, 20 Oct 2014 03:14:28 +0000271492 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEcuador Wrap: Emelec avoid Manta humiliationEmelec avoided embarrassment away at Manta in the Ecuadorian Primera A, coming from behind to down the cellar-dwellers.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-catolica-climb-manta-misery-continues
With just two points in nine matches, Manta were in dire need of some uplifting football, and they got off to a flying start in front of their Estadio Jocay faithful.
Ricardo Lopez's long ball floated into the area and Miler Castillo buried a header in the eighth minute for the hosts.
However, Manta's fortunes quickly spiralled south - Emelec level after Miller Bolanos converted from the penalty spot just prior to the half-hour mark.
Fernando Gimenez was on the end of some fine Emelec passing in the 56th minute, to fire them ahead with his left foot, before Fernando Gaibor sealed it with the visitors' third 11 minutes from time.
The win - Emelec's fourth in eight league outings - moved them eighth in the table, while Manta remain rooted to the foot of the standings.
Universidad Catolica was level with Manta on two points at the start of the weekend but moved away with a 1-0 home win over Olmedo.
Catolica took all three points courtesy of Armando Wila's first-half goal, which took them above Olmedo and into 10th.
news_articleSun, 12 Oct 2014 23:05:31 +0000267206 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEcuador Wrap: Barcas winning run endedBarcelonas seven-match winning run in the Ecuadorian Primera A came to an end on Sunday as El Nacional closed the gap to five points.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-barcelonas-run-ended
Ruben Israel's in-form Barcelona were no match for fourth-placed visitors Independiente del Valle, going down 4-1 at the Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo on Sunday.
Jonathan Gonzalez scrambled in the opener in the sixth minute for the visitors and they doubled their lead before half-time.
Junior Sornoza stepped up from the penalty spot seven minutes before the break, tucking his spot-kick into the bottom corner.
Christian Suarez pulled a goal back for the hosts early in the second half, getting on the end of a fine long pass before volleying in at the back post.
But Daniel Angulo headed in on the hourmark and Fernando Guerrero also struck with a left-footed finish late on.
El Nacional, who have a game in hand, moved within five points of top after a come-from-behind 2-1 victory at Olmedo.
Alvaro Navarro had scrambled in the opener for Olmedo in the 32nd minute as they looked on track for their first win of the season.
Sloppy goalkeeping led to Miguel Parrales' equaliser in the 70th minute before Alejandro Villalva drove in the winner from inside the area.
Universidad Catolica and Manta are below Olmedo without a win.
Walter Calderon's goal saw Deportivo Quito edge Universidad Catolica 1-0 and Manta were beaten 1-0 at Deportivo Cuenca.
Third-placed LDU Quito needed a 90th-minute winner from Jonathan Ramis to overcome Emelec 2-1 and LDU Loja beat Mushuc Runa 2-1.
news_articleMon, 06 Oct 2014 01:24:20 +0000264101 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEcuador Wrap: Mushuc stay in touch with BarcaMaximiliano Barreiro continued his fine goalscoring form to help Mushuc Runa stay in touch with Ecuadorian Primera A leaders Barcelona.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-form-barreiro-moves-mushuc-runa-second
The Argentinian scored the opening goal in Mushuc's 2-0 win over Universidad Catolica after just 14 minutes to take his tally in the league to nine this term.
Barreiro has three goals from his last four outings and, with Rommel Zura adding a second shortly after the half-hour mark, the hosts picked up their first win since August at theEstadio del Mushuc Runa Sporting Club.
That moved Mushuc up to second and kept them seven points behindBarcelona, who ran out 4-2 winners overbottom side Manta.
Christian Suarez scored twice while Jose Perlaza and Ismael Blanco were also on target, as goals from Efren Mera and Jose Flecha provied insufficient for the home side to grab a point.
Manta are yet to pick up a win this term, while Barcelona appear firmlyon course for a 15th top-flight title.
El Nacional and LDU Quito, the sides in third and fourth, lost ground on the leadersasthey played out a goalless draw at theEstadio Olimpico Atahualpa.
First-half goals from Junior Sornoza and Jonathan Gonzalez wrapped up the points for Independiente del Valle at home against Deportivo Quito.
The hosts had been held to draws in their previous two games but a dominant display before the break set upan important 2-0win.
Olmedo showed their battling qualities at theEstadio Olimpico de Riobamba - twice coming from behind to salvage a 2-2draw against Deportivo Cuenca.
Cristian Palacios cancelled out Silvio Gutierrez's early opener, butHugo Bargas lookedto have wrapped up maximum points for the visitors.
However, Alvaro Navarro levelled eight minutes from time andOlmedo's wait for a win in the league this term goes on.
news_articleThu, 02 Oct 2014 15:13:36 +0000262312 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEcuador Wrap: Barca maintain six-point leadBarcelona maintained their six-point lead atop the Ecuadorian Primera A with a 2-0 win over Olmedo on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ecuadorian-primera-review-barcelona-continue-good-form
Ismael Blanco and Jose Luis Perlaza struck second-half goals for Ruben Israel's men, who have six wins from eight league matches.
El Nacional are six points back but have a game in hand, as do third-placed LDU Quito.
Barcelona continue to be pacesetters and got the job done against Olmedo at Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo.
Blanco volleyed in the opener in the 49th minute after Christian Suarez's effort from an angle was parried.
It was 2-0 just before the hour-mark as Perlaza headed in a set-piece to seal the win.
Felipe Mejia struck a hat-trick as El Nacional thrashed Deportivo Quito 4-0.
Mejia scrambled in the opener in the 33rd minute, but the visitors had to wait until the second half to go further ahead.
Again it was Mejia, who had to stretch at the back post to get on the end of a cross to make it 2-0.
Mejia tapped in the easiest of third goals to complete his hat-trick in the 64th minute before Marwin Pita also got on the scoresheet.
Third-placed LDU Quito enjoyed a 2-0 win at home to Manta and Mushuc Runa came from behind to draw 1-1 at Deportivo Cuenca.
LDU Loja and Independiente del Valle played out a scoreless draw.
The clash between Universidad Catolica and Emelec was postponed as both compete in the Copa Sudamericana.
news_articleSun, 28 Sep 2014 01:17:02 +0000260042 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com